What is Learning? Where is Learning? I have been fascinated with watching parents interact with their kids since I read that NYTimes article on the KIPP schools and their extended approach to training students how to be learners. Research was included that indicated that lower socio-economic status parents have different types of interactions with their kids than middle/upper class parents. I've been watching, and it's amazing to notice the differences. At the Monterrey Bay Aquarium, parents were asking their kids thinking questions - "where do you see two fish that look the same?" "Why do you think he is that color?" "What animal is making that sound; how is he making it?" At other places, usually places that don't cost $25 a person to get in, such as a free public beach, parents often interact with their kids in commands or simply in direct statements: "look at that!" "stop doing that"... It's just interesting to notice the difference.
Dan Gilbert This is a nice example of how much context matters. I think one of our challenges is to be able to design learning into public spaces like beaches so that everyone has an opportunity to learn. At an aquarium you feel compelled to learn - mostly b/c you just spent $25 to get in. I don't think that space can force learning, I think spaces and the the people and things we put in them should create opportunities for learning.
My most memorable experience was at the Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley. Actually, I'm not sure if that's even the right name, and if it's really in Berkeley or not, but it's still my best experience. I was probably ten years old (it was the summer after fourth grade) and we were living in Berkeley for the summer while my mom worked at the University (I grew up in Oklahoma). We went to the Lawrence Hall of Science and the only part I remember was that I wrapped a big, huge boa constrictor (real, alive, a big ole snake...) around my neck and left it there for a long time. I don't remember anything else about the experience, nothing about what it felt like or what I learned about snakes, but I remember it as a defining moment of my family identity. Whenever a hard issue comes up, to this day, my mom still calls on me to take care of it - because I am the "one brave enough to wrap the snake around your neck" (that' my mom's voice echoing in my ears). I'm not really good at museums. I really like to experience them alone, in silence, no audio-guides, and definitely no tourguides. For me they're about solitude and connecting with the art/experience on my own terms.
Amanda Perla Sonia, this is a really nice example of a meaningful experience. It wasn't just the museum itself, but what the trip meant for you and your family. I think we are similar in that we both enjoy going to a museum by ourselves, and on our own terms. I wonder what the Lawrence Hall of Science would be like for you if you went back to visit again, as an adult, years later?
Rolf I think my museum tendencies are just the opposite. I like being able to make my own choices about what to see and interact with, but the most fun for me is sharing something that I've found with someone else. I like to be able to talk to someone, to ask them questions etc. I like interactive science centers the best because they often allow me to engage with exhibit simultaneously with friends. I know that your Lawrence Hall experience was as a child, but as you say, it is memorable because is was a family experience, a group experience. I'll definitely agree with you though, I don't like audio-guides, and I REALLY don't like tour guides.
Sonia again... Okay Rolf, I'll concede. I really do like being with other people at hands-on-type places. I went to the Monterrey Bay Aquarium a few weeks ago with three other people, and it was amazing. I loved it - and definitely it was because of the company. My husband and I were in India this summer at some ancient religious caves. We put on our headlamps and he called me "Dora" all day and it was an incredible experience. And I was so glad to have shared it with him. I think I like art museums and exhibits on my own, but exploring places and hands-on places are more fun with others. Umm... sorry this file is so big. It's a picture of an entrance to one of the caves:
Hi. I went to the Bing Wing of the Green Library the other day. I've never really studied or done anything in there before besides walk through to the other side - the casual side. The Bing side scares me. It's too quiet, too fancy, too presumptuous. Well, I conquered my fears and sat down in a fancy leather chair to write a paper.
The room was beautiful. Sunlight and fresh air poured through the huge, open windows. The stillness to the room lent it a certain solemnity. I found it easy to write and easy to think in this space. Looking around, many other students seemed to agree. All were working individually at tables, plenty of personal space around them, no one near by. Many wore headphones and seemed to be in a world of their own. Only one student dared answer a cell phone call - but no one else was bothered by the vibration and the brief, whispered communication. All in all, it was idyllic - a perfect place to study independently.
On the other hand, it would be impossible to work in a group in that setting - well, if not impossible, just rude. What about other types of learning? Should libraries cater to collaboration and exploration? or just quiet contemplation and reflection? What is the purpose of the Bing Wing Reading Room? Must it serve any other purpose? Who makes that decision?
Dan Gilbert Thanks for sharing this, I really like the detail of only one person answering a cell call. I also like the fact that you highlight how much individual work is done and how having a place to spread out and be alone is a good thing. I think your last questions are provocative, especially about who makes the decisions about how the spaces get used? So many of them are basically big boxes with ad hoc communities formed in there but they are all governed by norms created by people in far different context - namely librarians. Nice work.
What can space really do in the ways of learning? Why did we read these texts?
I think space really has powerful effects on learning for both children and adults. What if the inmates at San Quentin had to learn in their cells? Not as conducive as their classroom, right? Even a modest classroom is better for learning than a prison cell. Similarly (in my mind) the differences in resources in schools has been troubling me lately. This quarter, I am working on projects that involve two totally disparate schools: an incredibly wealthy private school in Atherton, and a struggling public school in East Palo Alto. I could not help but imagine the students from the EPA school having the opportunity to learn in a setting like the school in Atherton. It would change everything – not just for the students, but for the adults as well. Think about a community meeting in a beautiful library, or families having access to lots of books even, or teachers that have access to labs and equipment and materials and don’t have to worry about being locked out of the bathroom being afraid if they work late in their classroom at night. Spaces make all the difference.
I think we read these texts because they help to frame a larger picture of learning – helping us to determine what we think learning is, whether formal or informal, and what are the conditions that support learning in all of its various contexts.
Sara I agree that spaces make a difference but don't you think it is possible for great learning to take place in even the most unlikely space? I am hesitant to say that space makes all of the difference...what about the teachers or the motivation level? I agree that the EPA students would have a different experience in a different space and in that way space is incredibly powerful but I also do not think that the EPA students cannot have a meaningful learning experience in their own classrooms...I think this has been a struggle of mine throughout this whole class. I know space is important, but how important?
I totally agree that we were given these readings to expand our thoughts about space. I also picked up on how the informality or formality of space provide different opportunities or constraints.